Upper torso covering with integrated hydration apparatus

ABSTRACT

A combined upper torso covering having a hydration assembly secured thereto which includes a camelback to provide a hydration source for users of the assembly. In one embodiment the upper torso covering is an athletic chest protector which handily provides access to any liquid stored in the camelback via a delivery line and nozzle placed in proximity to the mouth of the user

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-in-Part patent Application ofco-pending U.S. Completion patent application Ser. No. 16/916,846, filedJun. 30, 2020 for “Upper Torso Covering with Integrated HydrationApparatus,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to upper torso chest and backcoverings and, in particular, to a chest protector having an integratedhydration apparatus to generally allow a wearer of the device to hydratewhile wearing the device.

2. Prior Art

Currently there are a number of solutions for catchers and umpires tostay hydrated during a game. One of these solutions attempts to keep awater bottle next to them, but this solution fails to meet the needs ofthe market because it can interfere with a play. Another solutionattempts to hydrate when there is a time-out between innings, but thissolution is similarly unable to meet the needs of the market becausethere could be a long period of time were this break does not occur.Still another solution seeks hydration before and after the game, butthis solution also fails to meet market needs because the catchers andumpires may have to attend to different responsibilities or additionalgames, result in them not having enough time to hydrate.

It would be advantageous to have an apparatus that is built into thesafety equipment padding used in sporting activities, such as baseballor in other environments.

Furthermore, it would also be advantageous to have an apparatus that isreusable. Still, further, it would be advantageous to have an apparatusthat stores a liquid within an internal cavity for hydration. Therefore,there currently exists a need in the market for an apparatus that storesa liquid in conjunction with a torso covering, such as for onindividuals participating in a sporting event, such as catchers andumpires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an easy access to a liquid source by auser and comprises an upper torso arrangement including: (a) a chest andback covering, and (b) a hydration assembly disposed on the covering.

The upper torso arrangement includes a front cover portion, a rear backcover portion interconnected by shoulder straps which extend over theshoulder, from the front to the back one.

The hydration assembly, generally, comprises: (a) a source of hydratingliquid, (b) a liquid delivery line for delivering a liquid to adispenser, and (c) a nozzle-like dispenser in fluid communication withthe delivery line and positionable in proximity to the mouth of theuser.

The hydration assembly includes a camelback removably mounted on theback of the covering.

Means, such as a traditional hook and loop fastener disposed on thecovering, maintains the delivery line in position.

In a first embodiment, a pocket provided in the front cover of thecovering removably stows the nozzle. Alternatively, in otherembodiments, a pair of opposed arcuate flexible harness elementsupstanding from a base secured to a shoulder strap, removably retain orstow the delivery line therebetween.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention reference ismade to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing.

In the drawing like reference characters refer to like parts throughoutthe several views, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the back of a first embodiment of the present arrangement;

FIG. 2 shows the bottom of the arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a first side portion of the arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the arrangement;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the opposite portion;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the arrangement; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of a second embodiment hereof;

FIG. 9 is a partial front view of a further embodiment hereof;

FIG. 10 is a partial side view of the further embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a partial top view of the further embodiment hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now, and with reference to the drawing, there is depicted therein, anupper torso arrangement in accordance with the present invention and,generally, denoted at 10. The upper torso arrangement, as previouslynoted, generally, comprises a chest and back covering 12 and a hydrationassembly disposed on the covering and, generally, denoted at 14.

The covering 12 can take on any form such as an athletic chestprotector, clothing, jacket, vest or the like.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention and asshown in FIGS. 1-7 the present invention is incorporated into a chestprotector 15 of the type used in athletics and primarily in baseballenvironments.

As shown in FIGS. 1-7 the chest protector 15 has a protective front 16forming a protective barrier for protecting a wearer from an objectimpacting against the wearer's chest. The chest protector 15 has a rearportion 18.

The rear portion 18 of the chest protector 15 is used to removably stowa source for a hydrating fluid as detailed below.

A plurality of straps 20, 22 extend from the protective front 16 of theprotector 15 over the shoulders of the user and terminate in a stowagearea 24 in which is removably stowed a hydrating liquid container orsource (not shown).

The liquid storage area 24 is connected to and integrated with theshoulder strap members 20, 22. Opposed body straps 26, 28 secured to theprotector 15 secure the arrangement around the body of the wearer (notshown) and across the back of the wearer via straps 26, 28.

The hydration assembly 14 generally comprises:

-   -   (a) a source of hydrating liquid 30;    -   (b) a liquid delivery line 31, and (c) nozzle-like dispenser 32        in fluid communication with the delivery line 31 and        positionable in proximity to the mouth of the user.

A pocket 40 is provided on the front portion 16 and is disposed inproximity to a user's mouth. The pocket 40 is configured and sized forreceipt of the nozzle 32 to protect the nozzle from damage and contactwith debris.

The liquid source is, generally, removably received on the back or rearportion 18 of the arrangement 10 in the stowage area 24, adjacent to theshoulder blades of the wearer.

The delivery line 31 comprises a drinking hose and extends. The nozzle32 is preferably a twist-to-close nozzle portion 30 which is draped overone shoulder strap 20 or 22.

At least one fastening member 32, such as a hook and loop strap 34 issecured to a strap 20 or 22 and secures the line 31 in place to preventit from moving during use and non-use.

The liquid storage apparatus 14, generally, comprises a camelback 42.

As is known to those skilled in the art to which the present inventionpertains a camelback is a bladder which is used to store a liquid, suchas water therewithin.

A pouch 44 is used to removably stow the camelback. The pouch 44 may befixedly secured to the rear portion of the area 24 such as by sewing, ormay be removably attached such as with a hook and loop fastener.

The pouch 44 includes a zipper closure 46 for access to the interior forremoving and/or reinserting the camelback.

The delivery line 31, as shown in the drawing, is fitted to thecamelback and extends through an opening 48 formed in the pouch andloops through the fastening member(s) 32 and terminates at thetwist-to-turn nozzle 32.

In use, once the bladder 42 is filled and connected to the nozzle, theuser removes the nozzle from the pocket, opens the nozzle and drawsliquid through the delivery line. When finished, the user closes thenozzle and replaces it in the pocket.

Referring now to FIG. 8 there is depicted therein a second embodiment ofthe present invention. Here, the upper torso covering is in the form ofa vest, generally, denoted at 110 and includes a front portion 112, arear portion 114 and shoulder straps 116, 118. Here, the liquid storageapparatus 120 is as before and includes a camelback (not shown) which isremovably stowed within a pouch 122 in the manner heretofore described.

Now, and with reference to FIGS. 9-11 , there is depicted therein afurther embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, a delivery line 210, which is a flexiblehose-like material, extends from a pouch to a pocket, similar to thatshown in FIGS. 1-8 .

According to this embodiment, a flexible harness 211 is interposed thepouch and pocket. The harness 211 generally comprises a base 216, whichis secured to a shoulder strap 218. A pair of opposed upstanding arcuateflexible members 220, 222 extend upwardly from the base 216. A gap 222is defined between the outermost ends 224, 226 of the opposed members toenable the delivery line 210 to be easily removed therefrom. As shown,the opposed members or elements define a passageway 228 for the deliveryline.

A fabric strap 230 is interposed the pouch and the harness 211 and whichdefines a passageway 232 through which the delivery line 210 travelsprior to engaging the flexible harness 211. The strap 230 snugglyengages the delivery line 210 and prevents or mitigates any flexing orsnapping of the delivery line 210 when liquid is drawn therethroughthrough the nozzle.

In all other respects, the apparatus is the same as described withrespect to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-8 .

While the invention has been described above in terms of specificembodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited tothese disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of thisdisclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the inventionwill come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this inventionpertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both thisdisclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scopeof the invention should be determined by proper interpretation andconstruction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, asunderstood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure inthis specification and the attached drawings.

Having, thus, described the invention, what is claimed is:

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   10 Upper Torso Arrangement    -   12 Front and Back Covering    -   14 Hydration Assembly    -   15 Chest protector    -   16 Protective Front    -   18 Rear Portion    -   20,22 Plurality of Straps    -   24 Liquid Storage Area    -   26,28 Straps 26, 28    -   30 Source of Liquid    -   31 Liquid Delivery Line    -   32 Nozzle    -   34 Loop strap    -   40 Pocket    -   42 Camelback    -   44 Pouch    -   46 Zipper closure    -   48 Opening    -   110 Upper Ttorso Covering, Vest    -   112 Front Portion    -   114 Rear Portion    -   116,118 Shoulder Strap    -   112 Front portion    -   120 Liquid storage apparatus    -   122 Pouch    -   210 Delivery line    -   212 Pouch    -   214 Pocket    -   211 Flexible harness    -   216 Base    -   218 Shoulder strap    -   222 Gap    -   224,226 Outermost ends    -   228 Passageway    -   230 Fabric strap    -   232 Passageway

1. In combination: (a) an upper torso covering, comprising: 1) a frontportion; 2) a back portion; 3) shoulder straps interconnecting the backportion to the front portion; and (b) a hydration assembly,comprising: 1) a liquid containing bladder disposed on the back portion;2) a liquid delivery line having a first end and a second end fordelivering a fluid from the bladder; and 3) a nozzle, the nozzle beingconfigured to be placed on the front portion in proximity to the mouthof a user when worn; (c) a flexible harness interposed between thebladder and the nozzle for retaining the delivery line in position; (d)a strap secured to at least one shoulder strap and overlying thedelivery line and interposed the harness and the bladder, the strapdefining a passageway for the delivery line and maintaining the deliveryline in position; (e) a pouch removably secured to the back portion, thepouch having an opening therethrough through which the delivery lineproject, and wherein the delivery line is removably connected to thebladder at the first end thereof and to the nozzle at the second endthereof.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein; the bladder beingremovably disposed in the pouch; and the liquid delivery line projectsthrough the pouch.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein: the frontportion, straps and the back portion cooperate to define a chestprotector.
 4. The combination of claim 3 which further comprises: aremovably mounted pocket disposed on the front portion, the pocketremovably seating the nozzle.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein theharness comprises: a base secured to a shoulder strap, a pair of opposedarcuate flexible members for retaining the delivery line in positiondefining a control passageway, the delivery line extending therethrough.6. The combination of claim 1 wherein: the liquid containing bladder isa camelback.